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Friday 21 January 2000

The World Today is a comprehensive current affairs program which backgrounds, analyses, interprets and encourages debate on events and issues of interest and importance to all Australians. Below is the program summary with links to transcripts and audio (if available).

Confessional goes online

We are constantly reminded these days that e-commerce, Internet purchasing, is the way to go, with every conceivable good or service available, now including, would you believe, confession. A London radio station is behind the world's first online confessional and on the start-up day, their site could not keep up with the demand.

Costello downplays GST problems

The Federal Treasurer, Peter Costello, returned from his beach holiday today to the political stage. He dismissed notions of problems with the GST as little more than simple teething problems. Using diversionary tactics, the Treasurer chose instead to play up the reductions in income tax which will cut in at the same time as the GST comes into effect in July.

Push for performance-related ABC budget

As the ABC goes through the process of negotiations to see how much money the Federal Parliament allocates to national broadcasting over the next three years. It's been revealed that new performance-related standards are part of the discussions between the Federal Coalition Government and the ABC Board. Revised conditions could include the monitoring of programs by independent experts and the testing of new program ideas by outside agencies

Geneticists develop plant protection from measles

Australian genetic researchers say they've developed a world first, a plant when taken as food, can protect humans from measles. They claim it would be a much cheaper protection than vaccines, particularly for developing countries.

Tough times for Vic farmers

As people across much of eastern Australia - particularly those in cities like Sydney and holiday areas - complain that it has been a less-than perfect summer with too much rain, spare a thought for farmers in parts of Victoria. In the Mallee in the north-west of the state, they are having their driest period since records began, well over 100 years ago.

BHP dispute escalates

The industrial dispute between BHP and the unions continues to escalate, with the possibility of the dispute spreading to all divisions of the company. The Coal Association believes a snap strike by 4,000 coal workers at 13 BHP mines is in breach of the workplace relations legislation's secondary boycott provisions. BHP says it won't be pursuing that at the moment, but is taking further action to try to force coal employees back to work.

Appeal launched against film ban

An appeal has been lodged with the Film Classification Review Board in an attempt to overturn the ban placed on French film Romance. Sources close to the board told The World Today the board banned the film in a second screening, even though a majority of classifiers voted in favour of its release on the first screening.

Film board rejects allegations over Romance

Public shame touted for tax avoiders

The Tax Office revealed this week that a crackdown on wealthy tax avoiders has raised an additional $140 million over the past three years for revenues. But Tax Office staff say they're being frustrated in their efforts by a hard core of repeat avoiders. The Institute of Chartered Accountants now says it will support moves to reveal the identity of these big debtors to the Tax Office. But the public shame approach has its critics.

Houses without kitchens?

Houses with no kitchens may be the way of the future, when architects start designing homes to complement the lifestyles of Generation X and the even younger generation. A survey has found that people born after the mid-1960s have a very different idea about housing. Ownership is not a priority and they regard their rented accommodation more as a dormitory than a base for family or social activity.

Dokic falls from grace

One of the least endearing Australian qualities is the propensity to turn quickly on a sporting hero or heroine who falters. Tennis player Jelena Dokic certainly falls into that category at the moment, as she has problems both on and off the court.

Fishing industry has fight on its hands

The New South Wales fishing industry is preparing for a major fight over proposed changes to licensing. Both commercial and professional fisher organisations have major objections to a State Government discussion paper released this week which proposes using a $25 recreational licence fee, a new one, to buy back commercial fishing licences in many lake and estuary areas. The Government says it's all about protecting fish habitats, but seafood industry representatives during a special meeting at the Sydney Fish Markets this morning say it's all about politics. Changes to fishing regulations are affecting Australians right around the country.